We’re in snake hotspot
TOWNSVILLE is Queensland’s hotspot for snake encounters with more than 10 per cent of the state’s recorded bites in the past year occurring in the region.
The Queensland Ambulance Service has responded to 84 snake bites in Townsville in the past 12 months despite the region only encompassing roughly 4 per cent of the Queensland population.
Senior operations supervisor Michael Grainger said a large population base in such a hot region was likely to blame for the prevalence of snake bites.
“If you had the population of Townsville in a place like Hughenden you’d have a lot more snake bites coming out of there,” Mr Grainger said.
“But in Townsville we are essentially in a snake habitat and we do actually have some really dangerous snakes here.
“The most commmon snake bite we come across is the eastern brown ( considered the world’s second most venomous snake).
“They frequent many areas across the Townsville region and can get angry very easily.”
Mr Grainger said people were more likely to encounter snakes in the warmer months.
There were eight snake bites recorded in Townsville last month, and another eight in September. Snake bites were consistently high across January and February this year with nine and 11 reports locally while April was actually the peak month with 12.
In April, Aaron Bryant, 46, died after he was bitten by a juvenile eastern brown which he was trying to remove from his Deeragun home.
Mr Grainger stressed that prevention was the number one focus on dealing with snake bites, encouraging people to avoid encounters where possible.
Wearing long pants on bushwalks, avoiding tall grass and having a clutter- free yard are ways to minimise your chance of encountering a snake or being bitten.
Also be aware of a snake’s diet which consists of small mammals such as rats.
Mr Grainger said if you have rats or mice on your property you can expect to have snakes.
In the event someone is bitten, Mr Grainger said compression bandages and immobilisation were the best forms of first aid and people should always call triple- 0.
He said mistaken identity was a major problem and people shouldn’t take the risk.
“There have been so many misidentified bites where people have thought they have been bitten by a tree snake and it turns out to be a taipan,” Mr Grainger said.
Jamie Chapel of Snake Take Away and Chapel Pest Control said people should never try to catch, kill or remove snakes.
“If you have a snake in your yard and are concerned call a licenced snake catcher,” Mr Chapel said.
“If the snake is inside your house get pets and children to a safe place and be aware of where the snake goes to assist the catcher.”